Is belly fat different to thigh fat, and does it matter?

Many people around the world are overweight, ranging from those who carry a little extra weight to those who weigh hundreds of pounds and are morbidly obese. It is well known that being overweight can lead to a variety of serious health concerns, but did you know that where you carry the weight can have an effect on your wellness too?

Overweight people tend to store their extra fat in different ways. Many people have heard of the fruit analogies, where people will describe themselves as being a pear or an apple, based on where they store the fat. Men, for example, are generally ‘apples’, meaning that they tend to store their excess fat around their abdominal area, giving them a ‘round’ shape. They don’t often carry much fat on their hips and thighs, unless they are very overweight. Women, on the other hand, will often store their fat on their thighs and hips, giving them a bottom-heavy or ‘pear’ shape.

The reasons for men and women being shaped differently are still unclear, but are currently being investigated, as there is clearly a strong link between fat storage area and wellbeing. Belly fat seems to be associated with a much higher risk of diabetes and heart disease whereas thigh and hip fat does not seem to play a role in the development of these conditions at all.

One possible answer, found by a recent study, is that the two types of fats may differ genetically. Researchers who looked at fat samples found that the genes that operate in a person’s thigh fat are far less active than those found in belly fat. In the course of the research, the team also found that types of fat are preprogrammed to their location, meaning that certain types of fats naturally suit a specific place in the body. This groundbreaking research could change the way that we think about fat altogether, making us think not just about losing weight overall, but about changing the types of fats that we consume and aiming to reduce belly fat specifically. The once-hated pear shape could become the most desirable shape of the future!